Starting a professional career at a young age has both benefits and drawbacks. Since a youthful blood is either eager to put its talent forward and conquer the world or is too afraid of the possible outcome to stand out among the more experienced and confident ones. There is no talent shortage in cricket. Furthermore, a player's performance is determined by their mindset, approach to the game, and ability to seize opportunities that come their way.
The following are the top 10 cricketers who grabbed the opportunity given to them and embarked their names as one of the youngest players to score a century in cricket over the recent few years:-
10. Avishka Fernando (21 Years Old)
The Sri Lankan right-handed batsman, Avishka Fernando, achieved a century at 21 years (and 87 days). Fernando scored 104 runs in 103 balls in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 group stage match against West Indies. Furthermore, it ended up in helping Sri Lanka win a 23-run victory. Moreover, it made him the "Player of the Match."
9. Shimron Odilon Hetmyer (21 Years Old)
Hetmyer is a West Indian left-handed batsman. He was only 21 years old (and 70 days) when he struck a century against the UAE. Moreover, this was an ICC Cricket World Cup qualifier in 2018. Hetmyer had a 127-run innings in just 93 balls and was instrumental in the West Indies' 60-run triumph!
8. Rishabh Pant (20 Years Old)
Rishabh Pant is a young Indian wicket-keeper batsman. He scored a century in his first test series at 20 years (and 338 days). Pant hit 114 runs in just 146 balls with a strike rate of 78.08. This was in the second innings of India's fifth test match against England at The Oval in 2018. Even though India lost the match, a youthful Pant along with K L Rahul saved India from a terrible second-inning collapse.
7. Quinton De Kock (20 Years Old)
De Kock is a South African wicket-keeper batsman. He scored a century at 20 (and 326 days). De Kock played a composed inning of 112 runs in 135 balls against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Moreover, this also helped South Africa reach a 266-run total. South Africa won the match by a margin of 28 runs.
6. Matt Renshaw (20 Years Old)
Renshaw is an English-born Australian cricketer who played a brilliant century at 20 years (and 281 days). Renshaw scored 184 runs in 293 balls in the third test of Pakistan's 2016-17 tour of Australia in Sydney. Moreover, this gaine Australia a fantastic starts with his opening partner David Warner. They both put on a partnership of over 150 runs. Australia won the match with a tremendous margin of 220 runs!
5. Kane Williamson (20 Years Old)
Kane Williamson is the current captain of the New Zealand national team in all formats. He was only 20 years old when he hit the century mark. At the first test match of New Zealand's 2010 tour of India, Williamson scored 131 runs (299 balls) in Ahmedabad. The contest ended in a tie.
4. Ahmed Shehzad (19 Years Old)
Ahmed Shehzad hails from Pakistan. He is an opening batsman. Furthermore, he became one of the youngest players in history to make a century. This was when he did so at the age of 19 (and 73 days)! Ahmed Shehzad hit 115 runs off 109 balls in the fifth ODI of Pakistan's 2011 tour of New Zealand. Shehzad's century helped Pakistan win the match by 41 runs. For this knock, he was declared as the "Player of the Match.”
3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (19 Years Old)
Rahmanullah is 19 years (and 54 days) old and became Afghanistan's first batsman to strike a century. Moreover, this was on a debut in an ODI! Gurbaz scored 127 runs off 127 balls in the first One-Day International. This match was against Ireland on January 21, 2021. Furthermore, these 127 runs included eight fours and nine sixes! Afghanistan won the match by 16 runs, and Gurbaz was named ‘Player of the Match' for his debut innings.
2. Prithvi Shaw (18 Years Old)
Shaw is an Indian right-handed opening batsman. He made a century in his Test debut at just 18! Shaw had a brilliant debut knock of 134 runs off 154 balls with a strike rate of 87.01. This was in the opening test match of the West Indies tour of India in Rajkot in 2018. Shaw was named ‘Player of the Match,' and India triumphed by an innings and 272 runs!
1. Usman Ghani (17 Years Old)
On July 24, 2014, a right-handed opening batsman from Afghanistan made history. He became the second-youngest batter to make a century. (after Shahid Afridi, who did so at the age of 16 in 1996)! Usman scored 118 runs off 143 balls in the second One-Day International between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Although Afghanistan lost the match, Usman embarked his name in the books of cricket history.
